(OSV News) — The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation has made a transformative donation to the Chicago-based Big Shoulders Fund, contributing $150 million to support the Catholic school system within the Diocese of Gary, Indiana.
This historic endowment, regarded as the most significant in PK-12 Catholic education, will be distributed over a decade to heighten the schools’ excellence, inclusivity, and long-term viability. Executive Director William Hanna aspires to establish the network as the premier Catholic school system in America, potentially setting a benchmark for others nationwide.
Diocese of Gary Bishop Robert J. McClory expressed immense gratitude for the “extraordinary” endowment, which was announced on June 12, heralding a hopeful and prosperous era for Catholic education in the area.
Founded upon the philanthropic principles of Dean White, a notable figure in the sectors of real estate and hospitality, along with his wife Barbara, the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation has always shown a keen interest in uplifting Northwest Indiana, particularly known as “the Region.”
The ties between the foundation and the Big Shoulders Fund date back to the latter’s inception in 1986, which primarily supports underprivileged Catholic schools in Chicago. It currently oversees 38 schools, annually allocating over $40 million. With the Whites’ son Bruce and his wife Beth’s involvement, the Big Shoulders Fund extended its outreach to the Diocese of Gary in 2019, which now encompasses 17 parish elementary schools and three high schools, collectively educating close to 6,000 students.
This remarkable gift coincides with the recent expansion of Indiana’s Choice Scholarship Program, which aims to provide scholarships to a majority of Indiana students for attendance at private institutions. For the 2022-2023 academic year, the program has already engaged over 69,000 students.
Bishop McClory emphasizes the significance of the convergence of the foundation’s mission, Big Shoulders Fund’s influence, and the state’s educational initiatives to amplify the Catholic school system’s contributions to Indiana.
The foundation’s focus extends beyond scholarships, targeting the enhancement of overall student and teacher experiences through performance-based initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and other supporting actions, illuminated by Hanna.
Hanna points out that this financial support arrives at a time when improved infrastructure and transportation are attracting new populations to Northwest Indiana, emphasizing that Catholic schools are critical for community stability and advancement.
The collaboration among the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, Big Shoulders Fund, and the diocese is fundamental to this endeavor, with the potential of unlimited progress when financial constraints are lifted.
Beth White, in a press statement, reaffirmed the shared belief in education as a catalyst for a better world, echoing the Whites’ ongoing commitment to impacting education through their partnership with Big Shoulders Fund.
Hanna underscored Beth White’s passion for Catholic schooling, which is reflected in her active engagement with local students.
Dan Kozlowski of Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana lauded the donation as marvelous, recognizing it as an opportunity to further boost the potential of Catholic schools in the state.
Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb highly commended the contribution, seeing it as a major endorsement for education within Indiana.
Colleen Brewer, the superintendent of schools for the diocese, suggested that well-considered planning is essential to effectively channel the funds, ultimately aiming to elevate educational quality and student opportunities.
Furthermore, the Diocese of Gary has intentions to establish a standalone endowment to enhance the remunerations for staff and faculty in Catholic schools, aiming for a significant increase in its value over the coming years. Brewer envisions the gift enabling broader student inclusivity and a wealth of new educational prospects.
Article by Maria Wiering, Senior Writer, OSV News.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the purpose of the $150 million donation from the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation?
The donation is intended to enhance the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of Catholic schools within the Diocese of Gary, Indiana, to develop them into a leading network of Catholic education in the United States. - What is the Big Shoulders Fund?
The Big Shoulders Fund is an organization founded in 1986 that supports Catholic schools in Chicago’s most under-resourced areas by investing in them financially and operationally. It has recently expanded its efforts into the Diocese of Gary, Indiana. - How will the $150 million donation be utilized?
The donation will support performance-based outcomes, capital improvements, and other enhancements to enrich the educational experience for students and teachers, without being applied to tuition assistance. - What is Indiana’s Choice Scholarship Program?
It is a state-funded voucher program that provides scholarships to Indiana students to attend private schools, helping to offset tuition costs. As of the 2022-2023 school year, it serves a vast majority of Indiana students with approximately 98% being income-eligible. - What additional financial efforts is the Diocese of Gary making?
Apart from the $150 million gift, the diocese plans to create an independent endowment within the Catholic Foundation for Northwest Indiana to further support compensation for educators in Catholic schools.
